Life moves fast, doesn’t it? We rush from one thing to the next, always trying to check off the next task, meet the next deadline, or fulfill the next obligation. But today, I want to talk about something that seems small but can make a huge impact—pausing. When we take intentional pauses, we create space to hear from God, refresh our souls, and live with purpose instead of just reacting to life.
“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” — Psalm 46:10
Consider where you need to pause and how those moments can bring you closer to God.
God doesn’t always speak through loud signs—sometimes, He whispers.
“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain... but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake... And after the fire, there was the sound of a gentle whisper.” — 1 Kings 19:11-12
If we’re always rushing, we might miss what He’s saying.
When was the last time you slowed down to truly listen to God?
Even Jesus paused to spend time with the Father.
“But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.” — Luke 5:16
If He needed that time, how much more do we?
We all need time to breathe and release, and in those moments, we can clear our minds and our hearts by pausing and soaking up the moment. That 2-5 minute pause can reset us and give us strength to keep going.
Schedule quiet time into your day just like any other important appointment.
How can you make pausing for prayer a regular habit?
Constant busyness can drain us spiritually.
“Then Jesus said, ‘Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.’ He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.” — Mark 6:31
Pausing to rest is not laziness—it’s obedience to God’s rhythm.
Take a moment today to step away from distractions and rest in God’s presence.
Are you giving yourself time to recharge spiritually?
Taking a breath before reacting allows us to respond with wisdom instead of emotion. A pause can stop an argument before it starts.
“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” — James 1:19
A pause before speaking in aggravation, pain, or fear helps us to refocus and be slow to speak. Seek God in those moments.
The next time you feel frustrated or think you could become flustered, take a deep breath and count to three before responding.
You may be shocked at how pausing can help you handle conflicts better!
When the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus with a question, He didn’t answer right away—He paused.
“They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger.” — John 8:6
Jesus knew what to say and what to do, but He still took a moment to pause so that the Pharisees would not use His words against Him. That moment of stillness was filled with wisdom and grace because Jesus already knew what was to come.
I had a friend call me one time with a problem she was having, and I could have responded right away with my protective best-friend response, but instead, I let her know that I would have to pray about it and get back to her. I didn’t want to say anything that didn’t need to be said. I wanted to speak with wisdom from the Lord, just as Jesus always did.
In conversations, pause before speaking to allow room for wisdom to guide your words.
How can you practice pausing to respond with grace like Jesus?
“The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking.” — Proverbs 15:28a
Many regrets come from speaking or acting too quickly.
Last week, something came up, and as I was about to deal with it, I prayed for God to keep me calm—to let me speak in a way that showed Christ. That moment was needed to calm me, and it helped.
A pause can help us choose words and actions that honor God.
Before making a decision, take a moment to pray and seek God’s guidance.
What’s one area where you need to pause more before acting?
Life isn’t meant to be rushed through—God wants us to enjoy His blessings.
“So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can.” — Ecclesiastes 3:12
Pausing to be grateful shifts our perspective. Take time to appreciate what God has given you.
Take a moment to thank God for three specific blessings in your life today.
Rushing through life can cause us to miss opportunities to love people well.
“Live a quiet life, minding your own business, and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:11
Slowing down allows us to truly connect with others.
Be fully present in your next conversation—listen, engage, and show love.
How can pausing help you be more present in your relationships?
Instead of rushing, we can rest in the assurance that God is working.
Oftentimes, we may know what we want to happen, and we can rush to see that come to fruition, but when we are in a waiting period for the Lord, we need not rush but wait.
“Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” — Psalm 27:13-14
Waiting is a form of pausing—trusting that God’s timing is perfect.
When you feel impatient today, remind yourself that God’s timing is always best.
Where is God calling you to trust His timing instead of rushing ahead?
Today, we talked about the power of pausing—pausing to listen to God, to think before reacting, and to appreciate the life He’s given us.
Pausing isn’t a waste of time—it’s an investment in our spiritual growth. When we slow down, we make space for God’s peace, wisdom, and presence in our lives.
Take a deep breath, enjoy today, and don’t forget to pause.